Jared Goff Addresses 'Bridge Quarterback' Description
Jared Goff was labeled by a segment of NFL fans and media as a 'bridge quarterback' when he was first traded to the Detroit Lions.
The start to his career in Motown and a 1-6 start to the 2022 season added fuel to the fire that the veteran signal-caller was only going to be a starter until the team drafted his replacement.
After a stellar second-half of the season and a solid working relationship with Ben Johnson, the team's offensive coordinator, Goff is slowly putting the 'bridge' label in the rear-view mirror.
Appearing on the "Pardon My Take" podcast, the 28-year-old was asked about how he used to be categorized.
"I think there's a lot of members of our media that have an easy time writing bad things. And they have for quite some time," Goff explained. "And when we were 1-6, they were laying it on pretty thick. And then we kind of flipped the script, and it was almost like they ran out of things to write, because they weren't used to putting positive news out there. I guess I don't know how else to frame it. And yeah, it maybe took a little gas out of their tank -- and it's been fun."
Blake Griffin was a resource after being traded to Detroit
A couple years removed from the Rams trade, the veteran signal-caller reflected on how difficult it was actually was to be traded to another NFL team.
“Yeah, it was certainly hard," said Goff. "And I think I've had some time to reflect on it now, being a little bit further away from it. It was harder maybe than I thought it was in the moment. You're just kind of naive to it. And you're just putting your head down every day and going to work.”
While Goff said all the rights things when he was traded, 2021 was not the easiest time of his life, both on and off the field.
Goff expressed, “Looking back, there were some dark times in that 2021 year, both personally and on the field. Just getting through that and glad to say that you kind of come out the other side now and have some things to look forward to.”
Co-host Dan Katz actually connected Goff with former Detroit Piston Blake Griffin, who aided in the acclimation process.
“Blake did text. I think you put me on text with Blake," Goff said. "And I think he was actually trying to work his way out of Detroit when I was coming in here. So, he was like, 'You're gonna love it, but I'm kind of leaving soon.' But yeah, he was a good resource. And yeah, it was funny.”
